8 Amazing Resources To Inspire You To Visit Italy
When planning a trip to Italy, you need to check out a variety of amazing resources to inspire your travels. Books, podcasts, blogs, and videos can give you fresh ideas about what to eat, where to stay, and what to see and do in Italy.
I’m going to share 8 amazing resources that I have turned to time and again. They’re perfect to take in when planning a trip or when you just want to daydream about Italy.
Alex Polizzi’s Secret Italy
(TV Series)
There are a million shows and videos out there about Rome’s Coliseum and the hilltop towns of Tuscany. Sometimes you need to take in something new and obscure.
“Alex Polizzi’s Secret Italy” has introduced me to many special and quirky places and people in Italy. The series takes you through some well-known and unknown destinations but gives insight into regional Italian culture, art, and food.
You’ll learn about salt caves and Mafia-style hats in Sicily, past kidnappings and an isolated shepherd in Sardinia, and wild mussel fishing and designer shoe production in Le Marche.
It’s a great series to watch if you’re interested in Italian artisans, customs, and traditions.
Always Italy
(Book by Frances Mayes)
You may know Frances Mayes as the author of very popular book, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” She also writes great non-fiction books about traveling in Italy.
I love her book, “Always Italy.” For months, I popped into a bookstore to read bits of it, until I finally bought a copy.
The book has a section for each region of Italy. She writes about the food, the sights, and her recommendations for visiting these places. It’s also full of beautiful photos to help you picture yourself there.
I particularly love reading about people’s impressions of Southern Italy, so I head straight to the pages about Sicily, Calabria, Basilicata, and Puglia. But there’s something for all Italophiles in this book!
Untold Italy
(Podcast)
The Untold Italy travel podcast is such a gem! With over 200 episodes, there’s great information on every region of Italy. The host of the podcast usually chats with a guest who gives insight on a particular area or aspect of travel in Italy.
Many episodes have given me much to add to my ever-growing list of places to visit in Italy. I’ll share some of my favorites episodes for you to check out:
106. Exploring Liguria Beyond The Cinque Terre
186. Captivating Catania - Sicilian City of Charm
177. Venice: Free things to do and low-cost ideas to stretch your trip budget
The Mint Story
(Blog)
I would describe The Mint Story as a relaxed, understated blog. It features slow travel stories delivered in a romantic tone. It’s a great read when you just want to unwind and take in the experiences of a down-to-earth traveler.
I was particularly sold on the blog after I read a post about visiting Marettimo, a tiny island off the west coast of Sicily.
The blogger’s time on the island is described in a way that resonates with me. She speaks of a restaurant where you have to eat what they’re serving that day, being invited to crash a wedding, and enjoying a boat tour with funny, loud Sicilians.
I can vouch for those experiences being authentic. You never quite know what’s going to happen in Sicily, but you love whatever comes at you.
Check out the post about visiting Marettimo on The Mint Story.
Nicki Positano
(YouTube Channel)
This YouTube channel is a staple in our household. My husband and I started watching it before we moved to Italy, stayed caught up with it while we lived in Italy, and now it soothes us as we again watch from our home country.
The videos show you what everyday life is like on the Amalfi Coast and in Tuscany, as Nicki and her husband live in both places throughout the year.
Even though she lives in two well-known places, you see a different side of Italy as Nicki takes you on her daily, ordinary adventures. You can join her as she renovates her home, goes grocery shopping, hiking, and does some cooking.
We love that her videos don’t glamorize life in Italy, but give you a realistic view of the frustrations and joys of living there. And her husband, Carlo, is pretty entertaining.
One of my favorite videos from the channel is A Day in the Life of Antonio, a goat herder who lives on the famous “Path of the Gods” on the Amalfi Coast.
See You In The Piazza
(Book by Frances Mayes)
Another one of Frances Mayes books, “See You in the Piazza” highlights some less explored parts of Italy. While “Always Italy” is more of a guidebook, this is a leisurely, romantic read.
She visits and writes about places like Bevagna, Gaeta, Scicli, and Troia. Have you ever heard of any of these Italian towns? No? That means they’re untouched gems waiting to be explored!
The book helps you to imagine what you might do and see in places that few tourists visit. If you want to get off the beaten path in Italy, “See You in the Piazza” is definitely worth a read!
“Over several decades I’ve travelled extensively, but I’ve returned to favorites (Piemonte, Veneto and Le Marche) many times while neglecting whole regions such as Calabria, Molise, Valle d’Aosta. Writing See You in the Piazza: New Places to Discover in Italy in 2018 sparked my desire to see every region. I was travelling to rediscover the spontaneity of travel through visiting little-known towns.”
Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes
(TV Series)
Rick Stein is a British chef who has several travel shows about food. They’re all really great, but his series in the Mediterranean is the one I watch over and over again.
The series follows Rick through many Mediterranean countries, but there are a few episodes that feature Italian stops. He visits Sardinia, Sicily, and Puglia, eating his way through each region.
Since these are food shows, they give you some wonderful ideas about what to eat in Italy. But you also get to see some beautiful landscapes and vibrant city life.
I will mention that “Rick Stein’s Mediterranean Escapes” was filmed quite a while ago. Yet, I love to see what these southern regions of Italy were like just before they were flooded with tourists. And, of course, all the same food is still there today.
Kylie Flavell
(YouTube Channel)
Each week, I check out the stunning and nostalgic videos by Kylie Flavell. She’s a well-traveled Australian who has lived in Italy for a number of years and now resides in Tuscany.
Her videos feature ongoing renovations in a countryside property, traveling, recipes and cooking tutorials. But what makes Kylie’s channel special is how her content is delivered.
The up-close shots and drone footage are edited together so beautifully in her videos. It can feel like you’re watching a movie. She’s a great filmmaker.
My heart is in Sicily, so I particularly love a three-part video she filmed in the Aeolian Islands. Warning: you’ll want to book flights and ferries immediately after watching.
It’s a pleasure to share these amazing resources with you to inspire your future adventures. They’ve opened my eyes to unexplored places, culinary delights, and daily life in Italy, inspiring many past adventures and more to come.
Which resources about Italy have you come to know and love? I’d love to hear about them! Share your thoughts below.